CPB Fires Back at Trump’s Executive Order Pulling Funding for NPR, PBS
On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), accusing them of “biased and partisan news coverage.” The CPB, a private nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, swiftly rebuked the order, asserting that it is unlawful and exceeds presidential authority. This clash marks a significant escalation in Trump’s ongoing campaign against public media, prompting legal and public backlash. Here’s a detailed look at the controversy, the CPB’s response, and its broader implications.
The Executive Order: Trump’s Push to Defund Public Media
Trump’s executive order, signed late Thursday, instructs the CPB’s board to:
- Cease direct funding to NPR and PBS “to the maximum extent allowed by law” and decline future funding.
- Eliminate indirect funding, including grants to local public radio and television stations that support NPR and PBS programming.
- Revise 2025 grant guidelines by June 30 to prohibit funding for NPR and PBS.
The order also directs Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to investigate NPR and PBS for alleged employment discrimination and instructs all federal agencies to terminate any funding to the broadcasters. The White House justified the move, claiming NPR and PBS “spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news’” and that government funding is “outdated and unnecessary” in a diverse media landscape. A White House fact sheet alleged NPR’s newsroom has 87 registered Democrats and zero Republicans, and PBS’s coverage of the 2024 Republican National Convention was 72% negative, compared to 88% positive for the Democratic National Convention.
CPB’s Response: “Blatantly Unlawful”
The CPB fired back on May 2, dismissing the executive order as invalid and emphasizing its independence from presidential control. In a statement, CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison declared, “CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the President’s authority. Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government.” She cited the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which forbids any government official from exercising “direction, supervision, or control” over CPB or its grantees.
The CPB’s legal argument hinges on its status as a private entity, designed to insulate public media from political interference. Congress established CPB with advance funding cycles (currently approved through 2027) to further shield it from partisan pressures. The corporation noted that the order violates statutory protections, as CPB’s board, not the president, controls funding decisions.
This isn’t the CPB’s first legal stand against Trump. On April 29, the corporation sued the administration after Trump attempted to fire three of its five board members via email, including Tom Rothman, CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group. The lawsuit argues Trump lacks authority to remove board members, as they are appointed by the president with Senate consent and serve fixed terms. The CPB claims the firings would deprive its board of a quorum, paralyzing its operations. Georgetown law professor Stephen Vladeck called the lawsuit “has legs” but warned that Trump’s administration may prioritize disruption over legal victories.
NPR and PBS: Defending Their Mission
NPR and PBS condemned the executive order, framing it as an attack on press freedom and public service. NPR called it an “affront” to the First Amendment rights of its stations, donors, and listeners, vowing to “vigorously defend our right to provide essential news, information, and life-saving services.” The broadcaster emphasized that it serves 99% of the U.S. population, countering “news deserts” in underserved areas. NPR receives about 1% of its budget directly from CPB and slightly more indirectly, while its 246 member stations rely on CPB for 8–10% of their funds.
PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger labeled the order “blatantly unlawful,” arguing it threatens the broadcaster’s ability to deliver educational programming, children’s shows like Sesame Street, and trusted news like PBS NewsHour. PBS, owned by its local member stations, derives about 15% of its revenue from CPB, with smaller and rural stations depending on it for up to 50% of their budgets. Kerger warned that defunding would “devastate” these stations, particularly in Republican strongholds where they are often the last locally owned broadcasters.
Both organizations highlighted their role in providing emergency alerts, cultural programming, and nonpartisan news. NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and PBS’s children’s and documentary content, reach over 40 million and 36 million Americans weekly, respectively.
Context: Trump’s Long-Standing Feud with Public Media
Trump’s push to defund NPR and PBS builds on years of Republican criticism alleging liberal bias. During his first term, Trump’s annual budgets proposed zeroing out CPB funding, but Congress consistently restored it, reflecting bipartisan support for local stations. In his second term, Trump has adopted a more aggressive approach, emboldened by Republican majorities in Congress (53–47 in the Senate, 220–213 in the House).
The administration’s rhetoric intensified in 2025. Trump posted on X in all caps, “REPUBLICANS MUST DEFUND AND TOTALLY DISASSOCIATE THEMSELVES FROM NPR & PBS, THE RADICAL LEFT ‘MONSTERS’ THAT SO BADLY HURT OUR COUNTRY!” His appointee, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, launched an investigation into NPR and PBS, alleging their underwriting spots violate rules against commercial ads.
The White House also plans to ask Congress to rescind $1.1 billion in CPB funding—two years’ worth—through a process called rescission, requiring simple majorities in both chambers within 45 days. The request, expected by April 28, 2025, has not yet been sent.
Public and Political Reaction
The executive order sparked heated debate on X and beyond:
- Critics: X users like @LisaDNews and @ellgood emphasized CPB’s independence, arguing Trump’s order oversteps legal bounds. @MorePerfectUS noted that CPB’s funds are authorized by Congress, not the president. Media rights group RSF warned of an “alarming deterioration in press freedom” under Trump.
- Supporters: The White House and users like @fud31 framed NPR and PBS as partisan, alleging they violate CPB’s nonpolitical mandate. The administration cited skewed coverage and NPR’s leadership, including CEO Katherine Maher’s past statements on “truth” as a “distraction.”
A Pew Research poll found 43% of Americans support federal funding for public media, 24% oppose it, and 33% are unsure. However, PBS’s Kerger cited surveys showing 65% of Trump voters back public broadcasting, highlighting its broad appeal.
Why It Matters
CPB distributes $535 million annually, primarily to 1,500 local radio and TV stations, supporting free access to news, education, and emergency alerts. While NPR and PBS receive modest direct funding, local stations—especially in rural areas—rely heavily on CPB grants. Alaska Public Media’s CEO, Ed Ulman, warned that defunding could force some stations off the air, leaving communities without local news.
The order also raises First Amendment concerns. NPR argued that targeting public media undermines press freedom, while the CPB’s lawsuit frames Trump’s actions as an unconstitutional overreach. Legal experts like Vladeck suggest courts may side with CPB, but the administration’s broader strategy—seen in takeovers of entities like the U.S. Institute of Peace—aims to disrupt rather than win every battle.
What’s Next?
The CPB’s lawsuit against Trump’s board firings is ongoing, with a potential injunction to block the removals. The executive order faces legal challenges, as CPB, NPR, and PBS explore “all options” to oppose it. The rescission request, if sent, will test Congress’s willingness to defund public media, though bipartisan support has historically preserved CPB’s budget.
For now, CPB remains defiant, backed by its statutory independence and public support. As Kerger told PBS News, “We are parents’ first partners … covering the important stories, whether they’re international or local.” The fight over public media’s future is far from over.
For updates, follow discussions on X or visit cpb.org, npr.org, or pbs.org. For legal context, see court filings at uscourts.gov.
Note: Information reflects sources as of May 2, 2025. X posts are used to gauge sentiment but are not conclusive evidence. Always verify with official sources.